Lake Merritt Bay Trail

The Oakland Waterfront Trail is a part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, a planned 500-mile network of bicycle and hiking trails that will form a continuous ring around the Bay.

About

This project will close a major gap in the regional pedestrian and bicycle transportation network. A new bridge will take off from under the I-880 freeway and then span over the Embarcadero and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks to connect the Lake Merritt trail network to the regional San Francisco Bay Trail and the Estuary.

Currently, there is no direct connection between the Lake Merritt and Bay Trail systems. The trails are divided by I-880 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks. This has not prevented people from crossing the tracks illegally, as the alternative is for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel over one-half mile out of the way, crossing below unimproved or unkempt freeway underpasses.

This project will close the gap in these trail systems and replace it with a safe, grade-separated, ADA accessible bridge that will reconnect vibrant neighborhoods and link numerous destinations for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Not only will this connection increase public safety by removing the barriers and making the route more open and inviting, but it is expected to inspire more people to walk and bike, creating community connections and improving public health.